Control switch for convertible tops



Reb. 2, 1943. L. M. BAKER CONTROL SWITCH FOR CONVERTIBLE TOPS Filed NOV.28,4 1940 '/I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIllIII NMR www mw. wv

INVENTOR,

Patented Feb. 2, 1943 2,309,926 CONTROL SWITCH FOR CONVERTIBLE TOPSLouis M. Baker,.Birmingham,

Jeronimo Falcon,

Mich., assigner to Buenos Aires, Argentina Application November 28,1940, Serial No. 367,496

2 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to converting automobile tops of the type havingpower operated means for lowering and raising the same and has for itsprimary object to provide a. safety control device for preventingaccidental or unauthorized operation of the power means while the top isclamped in its closed position.

Convertible automobile tops of the type here concerned have electricallyoperated means for lowering and raising the same and usually areprovided with automatic cut-off switch means, operated by a moving partof the mechanism, for stopping the motor as the top reaches-its loweredposition and when the top reaches its closed position. When the top isclosed, however, the motor may be operated by a manual switch in adirection to lower the top, and when the top is open the motor may beoperated by-the same switch to close thetop. Clamping means is providedto secure or hold the top in its closed position and it is possible withthe means now used to operate the motor while the top is clamped in itsclosed position. The object of this invention, more specifically stated,is to provide means for preventing operation of the motor while the topis clamped in its closed position.

In order to insure proper positioning of the top when in its closedposition coacting dowel means are provided on the top and on thewindshield frame. Before the top can be lowered it is necessary todisengage this dowel means. In some cases the collapsible linkage whichsupports the top fabric is under tension when clamped and as theclamping means is released the top springs a short distance away fromthe windshield and 5 thus disengages the dowel means. In it is necessaryto release the clamping to manually push the top away from thewindshield frame. The present invention prevents operation of the motorWhile the dowel means are interengaged.

Other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent asreference is made to the accompanying drawing, wherein my invention isillustrated, and in which Fig. 1is a side elevation of a top raising andlowering means,

Fig, 2 is a fragmental section illustrating a detail, and

Fig. 3 is a, circuit diagram.

More specifically, I designates a system of links for supporting a topfabric 2. The links are foldable from the position shown in full lines,which is the closed position, to the collapsed position shown in dottedlines at 3. The means for colother cases means and lapsing and raisingthe linkage comprises an internally threaded sleeve t and a screw 5which telescopes therein. 'I'he screw 5 ls rotated through gearing in apivotally mounted housing t by a flexible shaft 'I and an electric motor8.

At the forward end of the top isa header 9 having a multiplicity ofdowel holes such as the one shown at I0 in Fig. 2 for receiving acorresponding number of positioning dowels, one of which is shown at IIin Fig. 2. The dowels are mounted on the upper edge of the windshieldframe I2 and the top is held in coacting relation therewith by clampingmeans i3.

Mounted in the windshield frame I2 is a push button switch It having anactuating button It adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed plunger I6mounted in the header 9. When the top is in its closed position and theheader is in contact with or close proximity to the windshield frame theplunger I 6 will hold the switch I Il open. When the top is spaced fromthe windshield sumciently to disengagethe dowels the switch It becomesclosed.

As shown in Fig, 3, the electric circuit includes a battery I 'Igrounded at IB andconnected at I9 to one terminal 20 of the switch It.The other terminal 2| of the switch It is connected by a wire 22 to amanually operated contact 23 adapted to be manually moved intoengagement with either of a pair of contacts 213 and 25. The contact 2tis connected by a wire 26 to one side of the motor 8 and the contact 25is connected by a wire 2l to the other side of the motor 8. The motor isgrounded at 28.

In the wire 26 is a cut-oii switch 29 and in the wire 21 is a cut-ofiswitch 30. The two switches 29 and 30 are actuated by means 3l engagedby the member 4. As the member t is moved to the position it assumeswhen the top is closed the switch 30 is opened and the switch 29 issimultaneously closed. When the top is moved to its collapsed positionthe member actuates the means 3I to open the switch 29 and close theswitch 30.

The diagram discloses the circuit in a condition corresponding to theclosed position of the top. The switch I II is open and if the contact23 is moved into engagement with the contact 24 the motor cannot beenergized. If, however, the top is released from the windshield framethe switch I4 will close and when the switch 23 is operated the motorwill operate to lower the top.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed it will be understood that various changes may`be made withinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit o!the invention, and such changes are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a convertible top, power operated means forraising and lowering the top, manual control means for causing selectiveoperation of said power means to raise and lower the top, and meansoperated by the top during movement to its iinal opening position forpreventing operation of said power means in response to said manualcontrol means in a direction to lower said top until said top has beenmoved through an initial distance from its fully opened position byforces derived from. a source other than said power operated means.

2. In combination with a convertible top. power operated means forraising and lowering the top, manual control means for causing selectiveoperation of said powermeans to raise and lower the top, automaticcut-oi means for stopping the power means as said top reacheseither itsclosed or its open position, and means operated by fthe top whenattaining its fully open position for preventing operation of said powermeans in response to said manual control means in a direction to lowersaid top until said top has been moved through an initial distance fromits fully open position by forces derived from a source other than saidpower operated means.

LOUIS M. BAKER.

